Illinois cell users among top taxed

Cell phone users in Illinois pay an average of 21.8 percent in taxes and fees. (Antonio Perez/Tribune)

Cell phone users in Illinois pay some of the highest taxes and fees in the country, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank said Wednesday.

Illinois was fifth in a ranking of extra wireless costs, the Tax Foundation said, with the user paying an average of about 21.8 percent in additional federal, state and local taxes and fees. Only callers in Nebraska, Washington, New York and Florida pay more.

The average U.S. mobile phone user pays taxes and fees of about 17.2 percent, according to the report, which uses recent data from a study by KSE Partners. About 11.4 percent of that is state and local charges.

Cell phones tend to be one of the most heavily taxed consumer items, the foundation said. Wireless taxes can be as much or more than those on alcohol or cigarettes.